IN A STATE OF NATURE - N U D E
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Nude, another way to describe a bare body, a body exposed but having a warmth of skin, which starts in womb and gives sense of our existence.In a wider way if we visualise, we all are made up of same ingredients but the recipe is slightly distinctive. We all are an amalgamation of bones, muscles, flesh and so, with a huge sprinkle of emotions and desires. Having bare body as a base which is owned by every soul, some still feel apprehensive while glancing at one. Though for some, it is an instrument of self-realisations, self-expression and a profound source to enchant delicacy.
My work is an imagery of pop culture, erotic and socio-political issues as reflected in the interface between ethnic mythology and modern urban life of today. Fashion forms aquintessential part of my work. The models in my painting are fashionable, flamboyant and glamorous totem of the contemporary. In both attitude and attire they endorse the mordant truth of today’s generation, a fetish for modelling and fashion intrigued with age-old practice of tattooing. My works inspect youthful fantasies sold through media and fashion magazines. Cropping, fragmentation and intermixing of the colourful motifs within the images are a satire on the fleeting world dominated by media and advertisements. - Dileep Sharma
Nudity took a form of art during greek epoch, the frames of nude body started to get appreciation. Which was carry forward by middle ages and became a central core in Renaissance. People commenced to perceive the nude bodies in more intellectual ways. It took a part in history paintings, including allegorical and religious arts, portraiture, or the decorative arts. From very beginning of human civilisations, we have witnessed nude human figures, especially female idols, that happened to be considered as goddess of fertility, nature and well being.The temples of khajuraho in India, are the perfect examples to depict, how nude art played a part in religious chapters. It’s erotic sculptures seamlessly blends with the traditional and mythical characters.Slowly and steadily our eyes started to praise what is beneath the clothes, and many portraits, live drawings, sketches were drawn where nudity performed a gigantic role.
The photographs are the outcome of my self exploration process. I was in search of reconciliation within my own body. Our bodies are riddled with politics of gender, of colour, of size, of smoothness, of presentation and projection. Self portraits allowed me an objective lens to view myself through; helping in the process shed some of the self loathing, shame, prejudices and expectations of my body that I had borrowed from society over the years. The ideas of womanhood, sexuality, the inherent sexualization that exists in this body unraveled to me. The idea that I am only a being, this is only a body, a body I nourished, a body that has taken care of me has started to emerge through this process.
Keerthi Chandana - Photographer
The Nude: a Study in Ideal Form by Lord kenneth clark, first published in 1956. The introductory chapter makes a distinction between the naked body and the nude. Clark states that to be naked is to be deprived of clothes, and implies embarrassment and shame, while a nude, as a work of art, has no such connotations. The era was initiated where a subtle line was marked between nude and naked. Now the depiction of human body was shown in more realistic and natural way rather than glorying it as of goddesses and nymphs. Pubic hair, marks were naturally shown.
The nude maja (1797) by Goya, 1815 drew the attention of the Spanish Inquisitions. Where in an elite society a female was shown nude and posing bare directly. Got alot of criticism in first place but was appreciated for it’s natural appeal later. Not just females but males have also been shown nude several times, the most appropriate example is the David by Michelangelo, 1504.
(b. 1977) loves to paint and has been drawing portraits since the age of nine. An IIT-Delhialumnus, he quit his rewarding career in IT in pursuit of his long-standing passion for Arts. His artistic yearnings took him to The Ryder Studio (USA), where he studied under master painter Anthony Ryder, withclassical realistic style of painting and life drawing as the focal points of his learning. His works have been selected at some of the most prestigious National and International Art Competitions, featuring amongst some of the best contemporary realists in the world. His work is a synthesis of keen, careful observation and classical painting techniques; stemming from his beliefthat when you pay enough attention to something, it opens up to you. He likes to experiment with his style ashe moves on to becoming more in his artwork. Figurative works are his forte but he loves doing still life and landscapes as well. His works hang in private collections in India and the US.
He currently works out of his studio in New Delhi.
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| Amit Srivastava
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Apart from the nude enthusiasts, many had and are still hostile to it. During the baroque and renaissance eras, the nude sculptures were given a shade of leaf on the private genitals, as they were not accepted bare. Which is still continued by some in present generation. Indian artists could not reside away from the alluring beauty of nudes, they kept their thoughts foremost and drew some of the most influential paintings of era, F.N. Souza’s erotic and sexual art displays nudity as regime of living, giving it a modern aroma. While Raja ravi varma’s and Amrita shergill’s way to present nudes has subtle and realistic approach.
Studying Currently: BARCELONA ACADEMY OF ART, Barcelona, Spain
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| Akshita Monga |
Akbar padamsee added another way to show nudes while playing with light and shadow and artists like Bhupen khakkar indulged nudes in contemporary and conceptual ways. In a state of nature, nude, is a way to acknowledge nature’s most significant formation, the body. Fifteen impressive artists are exhibiting their works to portray the aesthetic appeal, foundation of living and their wider vision of accepting being nude and visualising nudes.
Nude, an ungarmented body is the essence of nature, it shows the value of being alive, of being covered in a seamless skin. It has a power to feel, touch, cherish and excite. Nude is a way of appreciation and not apprehension.
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| by Sanchita Sharma |
IN A STATE OF NATURE - N U D E
We are opening an online screen show on Sunday 4th to Saturday 10th July 2021
The online show will be scheduled for 7 days
Dileep Sharma l Raj Bhandare l Hrusikesh Biswal
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Akshita Monga l Amit Srivastava l Augustus Lightwriter
Keerthi Chandana I Anand Mahajani
Nilisha Phad I Sudeshna Saha I Surabhi Gulwelkar I Shalaka Shende
Uma Dhanwatey I Vikrant Shitole I Rajeev Pandey
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Moderator by Tathi Premchand
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Evaluated by Nippon Team
Credits: Heena Sk I Sanchita Sharma
Sales Enquiry : info@nippongallery.com
Sunday 4th to Saturday 10th July 2021
